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2012-2013 Review Cycle

83rd
Legislative Session

The 83rd Legislature considered 24 entities under Sunset review, including four entities not subject to abolishment. The session capped off a difficult but successful review cycle, which occurred in a challenging time when most agencies had experienced significant budget reductions affecting their operations and ability to perform as expected. The agencies’ constricted budgets provided little opportunity for additional fiscal savings this cycle — Sunset legislation resulted in a savings of only $213,000 over fiscal years 2014–2015. However, the Sunset legislation contained significant changes to enhance the structure and operations of the entities under review.

The Legislature abolished and transferred the functions of the Office of Fire Fighters’ Pension Commissioner to the Pension Review Board, and continued the remaining 19 agencies. However, the Legislature was unable to pass the Sunset legislation for the Railroad Commission of Texas and the Texas Education Agency. Instead, in separate legislation, the Legislature continued the Railroad Commission for four years and subjected the Texas Education Agency to a limited scope review along with a two-year continuation. The Governor vetoed the Texas Ethics Commission’s Sunset bill, but since the Commission is a constitutionally-created agency not subject to abolishment, it will simply undergo Sunset review again in 12 years.